Trends in energy use in industrial societies. Final report

The amount of energy consumed relative to a given amount of output (the energy/GDP ratio) varies considerably among selected industrial countries and over time within the same countries. The objective of this study is to investigate the causes of these variations, particularly over time. The influence of changes in energy-supply systems, composition of output, energy prices, geographical characteristics, and tastes on these variations is considered. The study found that: (1) changes in energy-supply systems accounted for part of these variations in energy/GDP ratios; (2) changing composition of output also contributed to variations in energy/GDP ratios; and (3) low US energy prices contributed to higher US energy consumption relative to income, while the 1974 rise in energy prices contributed to the general decline in energy/GDP ratios after that year. If energy consumption is to achieve stated conservation targets, however, stronger pricing and conservation policies may be needed. 56 references, 3 figures, 92 tables.